Friday, July 15, 2022

Dear friend, 

Over the past three weeks, there have been a series of high-profile incidents involving the Fairfax County Police Department. I share the concerns that I've heard from many in the community about the nature of these incidents and the frequency at which they occur.


It's important to acknowledge that the use of force by our police department -especially deadly force - with this level of frequency is not normal in our community. However, it's equally as critical that we allow for a full investigation of the facts in each of these cases before determining if the force deployed was justified.


As community members work to process and understand the events of the past weeks, I remain completely committed to providing the transparency required to ensure trust between our community and FCPD. I'm also equally as committed to pursuing the accountability that will be required to maintain that same trust should our investigations determine that the force used in any of these incidents was not justified.


On Thursday, July 21st, at 6 pm, my office will host a virtual Public Safety Town Hall with Fairfax County Chief of Police Kevin Davis. Guests will include Dr. Noah Fritz, the Director of Crime Control Strategies & Data Analytics, as well as officers from the Franconia and Mount Vernon District Stations.


The focus of this town hall will be crime trends, specifically in the Franconia District, including an update on FCPD’s latest crime prevention activities.


Please register for the Zoom Webinar here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q7D_dhVURAecYSuQN5XyVg


For Spanish speakers, we will provide Spanish language interpretation through Zoom. La interpretación en español está disponible en zoom.


The town hall will also be streamed live on my Facebook. Staff will be monitoring the chatbox during the program.


Email questions to: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov

Please contact my office if we can assist you:

Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov (My team is working on an updated email)

Phone 703-971-6262

-Rodney
Table of Contents
  1. Supervisor Lusk in the News
  2. Supervisor Lusk in the Community
  3. Richmond Highway Speed Limit Study
  4. New Greendrop Donation Site in Franconia 
  5. SSPA Virtual Public Hearing Update
  6. 2022-2023 Kids School Supply Drive
  7. Exceptional Design Awards
  8. Real Estate Taxes Deadline Approaching
  9. Text or Call Crisis Hotline at: 988
  10. COVID-19 Resources

Supervisor Lusk in the News

 How Nalls Produce Survived noVA's Urbanization, Becoming the Last Farm in Franconia

By Buzz McClain of the Northern Virginia Magazine

https://northernvirginiamag.com/culture/culture-features/2022/07/01/how-nalls-produce-survived-novas-urbanization-becoming-the-last-farm-in-franconia/



Penny the pig's porcine popularity rose earlier this year, when county officials recognized her owner’s contribution to the region with a very official, “Whereas”-filled proclamation itemizing the historic legacy of Penny’s homestead. Twelve-year-old Penny was name-checked in the formal document, described as “Penny the teacup pig.”


This is Nalls Produce, in business since 1961, when Beulah Street, which it sits on, was barely wearing its first coat of pavement. It’s survived through the Springfield Town Center (originally the Springfield Mall) in the 1970s, the census-toppling Kingstowne residential development in the ’80s, and the Amazon Fresh supermarket up the highway last year.


“I just appreciate that you’ve been able to keep that asset in our community,” said current Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk at the same ceremony. “There’s been so much development all around you, and you guys [are] the last bastion of solace there; I want to commend you for being able to make sure Nalls continues operations.”

Supervisor Lusk in the Community 

Thank you, Mike Warbel, President of West Springfield Little League, for inviting me to throw the first pitch at the Virginia age 9-11 State Tournament at Byron Avenue Park. Play Ball!

It was a pleasure to join my friends at Meg's Giveback to participate in their annual Christmas in July Delivery event at Inova Children's Hospital!

Learn more about Meg's Giveback here: megsgiveback.com/

Richmond Highway Speed Limit Study

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and FCDOT’s Virtual Public Information Meeting on the Richmond Highway Speed Limit Study that will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at 7 p.m.


The study is assessing the 45 MPH speed limit on about eight miles of Richmond Highway (Route 1) between Belvoir Road/Meade Road and I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) to improve safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and transit users.


To join the meeting online or by phone go to: https://www.virginiadot.org/Route1SpeedLimitStudy

New Greendrop Donation Site in Franconia!

GreenDrop is a donation company that offers an easy, convenient, and eco-friendly way for communities to donate clothing, shoes and household items that help support their nonprofit partners. 


In August, Greendrop will be opening up a new donation site in Franconia and its hours will range from 10 am to 5 pm daily, with a friendly attendant on site accepting donations at their clean trailer in the parking lot. Donating to Greendrop helps you declutter, is good for the Earth to keep items out of landfills, and also benefits a great local charity! 


More details: www.GoGreenDrop.com

Site-Specific Plan Amendment (Update)

A public hearing on proposed modifications to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center. The SSPA process allows anyone to propose site-specific land use changes to the Comprehensive Plan, the county’s guiding document for land use and development decisions. 


To view the public hearing online:  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boardofsupervisors/about-board-meetings

2022-2023 Kids School Supply Drive

The Volunteer & Partner Services program is facilitating a school supply drive for Fairfax County high school students in need. Additionally, Educate Fairfax is accepting donations for the Kids School Supply drive.


If you have questions: Email Francesca.Watson2@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-345-8453.


To donate: http://ow.ly/gUQk50JW54t


Exceptional Design Awards: Submit Yours Today!

Calling all Exceptional Designs! Fairfax County is now accepting submissions for the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards.


Superior works of architecture, site design and landscaping, and green building projects completed in Fairfax County since January 1, 2017 are eligible for nomination.


The awards aim to celebrate and raise awareness of outstanding planning and design projects among design professionals and the general public.


Submissions must be sent by email or mail by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022. Take a look at the submission categories, requirements and the entry form on the awards webpage to learn more.

 

More details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/exceptional-design-awards/

Real Estate Taxes Deadline Approaching

The first half of real estate taxes are due July 28.


It’s quick & easy to pay online: http://ow.ly/rkXx50JUPaT, and e-checks are free.


For questions/missing your bill call: 703-222-8234

TEXT or CALL Crisis Hotline @ 988

Starting Saturday, July 16, people experiencing mental distress will be able to dial just three numbers to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.


Anyone in the U.S. can text or call 988 to reach trained counselors 24/7 to help them cope with any mental health emergency and direct them to additional resources for mental health and substance use treatment as well as suicide crises. Help save a life. 

Fairfax County COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19:

Contact our Health Department COVID-19 Call Center on weekdays: 9 am-7 pm at 703-267-3511.


Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.


Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm.


Follow the Fairfax County Government and Health Department Facebook Page


Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter.


For regular updates, continue to follow the following trusted sources:


Fairfax County Health Department’s COVID-19 Homepage

Virginia Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rodney L. Lusk

Franconia District Supervisor

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